Life-saving device



P. E. mom.

LIFE SAVING DEVICE. 7 APPLICATION FILED MAR. 20. m9. RENEWED mac. 24.1919.

1,330,410. Patented Feb. 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET lv WITNESS (9M E m 7 P. E. THOKAR.

LIFE SAVING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 20. I919. RENEWED D50. 24. m9.

Patented Feb. 10, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

WITNESS nrrn PAUL E. THOKAR, OF PITTSBURGH, PENN$YLVANIA.

LIFE-SAVING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 10, 1920.

Application filed March 20, 1919, Serial No. 283,795; Renewed December24, 1919. Serial No. 347,196.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PAUL E. THOKAR, a citizen of Bucowina, residing atPittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Saving Devices, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to life saving devices, and has for its object toprovide a device of such class, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,with means adapted to be carried by and launched from a marine vesseland further capable of being extended to form a hollow spherical buoyantstructure providing a safe refuge for members of a crew or thepassengers of the vessel in case the vessel is damaged or sinking, andfurther enable the persons housed within said structure to betransported to another vessel or to the shore.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a life saving devicewhich is simple in its construction, strong, durable, collapsible andextensible, ethcient and convenient in its use, readily set up, andcomparatively inexpensive.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts ashereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of. the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscan be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views Figure 1 is an elevation of thedevice extended.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan.

Fig. 3 is an elevation, broken away, of the device collapsed or folded.

Referring to the drawings in detail the device comprises a frame formedof an inner, an intermediate and an outer annular member 1, 2 and 3respectively. The members 1 and 2, are pivoted together, as at 4-, andthe members 2 and 3, are pivoted together as at 5, through the medium ofan air conducting pipe 6, which extends through the said members 2 and8, as well as projecting above the member 8. The pipe 6, has itsprojecting portion looped as at 7,

so that it can be engaged by the elevating and lowering means for thepurpose of raisopposite points with apair of oppositely disposed notcheswhich are adapted to receive, when the frame is extended lugs 11, on themember 3, whereby the members 1, 2 and 3 are prevented from accidentallycollapsing and are braced apart. The notches are indicated at 10. Themember 2 is furthermore provided with straps 12 which can be grasped bythe people housed within the structure when the latter is extended.

The pivots 4, between the members 1 and 2 are formed from a pair offlanged sleeves 12", which extend through the members 1 and 2, and eachof which forms a socket for a globular bearing 13, forming a universaljoint. The inner face at each end of a sleeve 12 is flaring in contour.Extending inwardly from the bearing 13 is an arm 14 provided with asocket 15 to receive the handle of an oar. Projecting outwardly from thebearing 13 is an arm 16, having a socket 17 to receive the blade of ancar. The handle of the oar is indicated at 18 and is detachablyconnected in the socket 15. The blade of the oar is indicated at 19 andis detachably connected in the socket 17 The flared portions of thesleeves 12, at each end thereof permit of the necessary sweep when.

operating the oars.

Arranged within the frame and connected together is a sectional floor orplatform which is formed of two sections 20 and 21, hinged together asat 22. The sections 20 and 21 are arranged within the member 2 andsurround the lower portion of the pipe 6. The floor or platform isfoldable and when extended rests on the member 2. When the frame isextended the persons on the platform or floor can reach the straps 12.

The frame is inclosed by a flexible water proof covering 23, having awindow 24, and a door 25 so that access can be had to the structure whenextended, and when the frame is extended the member 1 is disposedhorizontally and Within the member 2, the latter and member 3 aredisposed vertically with the member 2 Within the member 3. When themembers 1, 2 and 3, with the covering 23, are extended a hollowspherical buoyant structure is set up. The covering 23 is secured to themembers 1, 2 and 3 in any suitable manner.

Suitable packings are provided at the joints between the pipe 6 and themembers 2 and 3, and between the sleeves 12 and the members 1, 2 toprevent leakage. The position of the sleeves 12 is normally above theWater line. The floor or platform acts as a steadying means When thedevice is launched and tends to keep the same upright in connection withthe oars.

Packing is provided for the door to prevent leakage.

What I claim is 1. A life saving device comprising an extensible andcollapsible frame formed of an inner, an outer and an intermediateannular member pivotally connected together, said frame being sphericalin contour When extended, a water proof covering for said framecompletely inclosing the frame, a pair of universal joints, each mountedin a pair of said members, oar handles detachably connected With saidjoints, oar blades 'detachably connected with said joints, and

a sectional platform arranged Within the frame.

. 2. A life saving device comprising an extensible and collapsiblespherical frame formed of an inner, an outer and an intermediate annularmember pivotally connected together, an impervious covering completelyinclosing said frame and formed of flexible material provided with adoor and a window, a pair of universal joints, each mounted in a pair ofsaid members, .o-ar handles and blades detachably connected with saidjoints, and a sectional platform arranged vvith said frame.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

PAUL E. T HOKAR.

